Dubuque to Enforce Odd-Even Parking Policy

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Many eastern Iowa cities are still under "snow emergencies" following the recent blizzard. That's each city's way of telling people not to park in certain areas to allow for plowing.

After a big storm the snow forces cars to park further and further way from the curb. On Dubuque's primary streets, posted signs let drivers know it's a snow route. The sign explains when drivers should move a car to avoid a $30 ticket.

Just a few months after moving to Dubuque, Robert Webb spent Friday helping to dig his aunt's car out of the snow along University Avenue.

Webb said, "I really don't know too much about it. This is my first time dealing with this. "

University Avenue is part of Dubuque's odd-even snow route. A city policy Webb says he's never heard of.

Webb said, "if nobody does come complaining or leaves a note on the car, well than we'll pretty much stay here. That's the way I look at it."

For plow truck drivers leaving a car on the street when the policy is in effect is dangerous and frustrating.

Plow Driver, Mark Meyer said, "either park them on the other side of the street or try to get them into a driveway. It would speed things up. "

Dubuque's Public Information Officer, Randy Gehl is responsible for letting Dubuque residents know about that policy.

Gehl said, "people can get a text or email notification as soon as it's declared which is always 24 hours in advance of it going into effect."

Gehl says the city also sends out automated phone calls alerting people about the policy.

"we have a database set up for people who have properties immediately along that snow route because it impacts those people directly. It sends a phone message to all those numbers," said Gehl.

With all those notifications options, the city says most people should know when it's time to move their cars.